【Wen / Observers Network, Wang Kaiwen】After the US Supreme Court overturned global tariffs, the Trump administration, undeterred, tried to impose new tariffs through other means.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal on February 23, in addition to the 15% new global tariffs, the Trump administration also planned to impose so-called "national security tariffs" on six industries.

According to insiders, the new tariffs that Trump is considering may cover industries such as large batteries, cast iron and iron fittings, plastic pipes, industrial chemicals, as well as power grid and telecommunications equipment. These tariffs will be levied under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which grants the President of the United States the power to impose tariffs based on so-called "national security risks".

On February 20 local time, the US Supreme Court announced its ruling, finding that the Trump administration's large-scale tariff policy based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act was illegal. Later that day, Trump held a press conference and announced that he would impose an additional 10% import tariff on global goods based on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 for a period of 150 days. A day later, Trump announced that he would increase the tax rate from 10% to 15%.

On February 20 local time, Trump announced that he would impose a 10% import tariff on global goods based on Section 122 of the US Trade Act of 1974.

Additionally, Trump has threatened to have many "other options", including initiating several so-called "unfair trade practices" investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

The report states that during his second term, Trump had already used the "232 clause" to impose tariffs on imported steel, aluminum, copper, automobiles, and automotive parts. However, so far, none of the products taxed under the "232 clause" have been included in other tariffs during his second term, and they are not affected by the recent Supreme Court ruling.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement: "Maintaining the national and economic security of the United States remains the top priority of President Trump, and this administration remains committed to using all legal authorizations to achieve this goal."

It is currently unclear when the tariff investigation led by the US Department of Commerce will be announced and implemented. The "232 clause" requires lengthy investigations before imposing tariffs, but once implemented, the President of the United States has the authority to unilaterally adjust it.

During his second term, Trump has significantly expanded the scope of tariffs imposed under the "232 clause," including not only raw materials such as steel, aluminum, and copper, but also consumer goods made from these materials. In addition, he basically rejected all tariff exemptions except for limited measures for affected US automakers.

According to reports, in addition to the six industries mentioned by insiders, the Trump administration is also considering imposing tariffs on another nine industries based on existing "232 investigations," including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, drones, industrial robots, and polycrystalline silicon used in solar panels. Many of these investigations were initiated nearly a year ago, and after the US Supreme Court issued its ruling, the Trump administration may accelerate the investigation process.

Insiders revealed that Trump is also pushing to revise the so-called "national security tariffs" on existing steel and aluminum. These adjustments may lower the nominal tax rates for many products, but will levy tariffs on the full value of the products, not just the value of the steel or aluminum within them. This means that many companies may end up paying higher tariff amounts.

Jamison Grier, the US Trade Representative, said in an interview with CNBC last week that the Trump administration may "adjust the application methods of some tariffs for compliance purposes."

According to data from the US Customs and Border Protection Agency in December of last year, the tariffs implemented by Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act have collected approximately $13 billion in revenue.

Bloomberg previously reported that as of January of this year, court records showed that more than 1,000 companies had joined legal lawsuits demanding the government refund the tariffs already paid. Budget models from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania estimate that the amount of refunds related to the Supreme Court's final decision on tariffs could reach $17.5 billion.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7610275026478301748/

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